Page 8 of Resisting the Fall

“That’d be weird.”

“It would be polite.”

I gestured over my shoulder to where my brothers had disappeared. “What about Tate? Shouldn’t he have to say something?”

“I’ll make sure he does before we leave.”

Being the oldest sucked sometimes. My huff was a touch overdone, but Mom didn’t even bat an eye. She directed me toward Maven, who had just finished talking to her teacher.

“You did such a wonderful job,” Mom said. When I didn’t say anything, her expectant gaze shifted to me. “Didn’t she, Bennett?”

I had no choice but to nod.

Mom’s chin dropped, and I knew she expected more.

“The violin sounded really scratchy at first, but it got better.”

Mom closed her eyes and brought her fingers to her shaking head. Apparently, that hadn’t been what she was looking for.

“Thanks,” Maven said, clearly fine with my comment. “I was nervous when I started, but when I concentrated on the music, it got easier.”

I tucked my hands in my pockets, having nothing else to say.

“Can I get a picture of the two of you?” Ms. Price asked, holding up a camera.

Mom was already nodding her head, giving me that same smile from earlier.

Realizing I again had no choice, I took a tiny step toward Maven.

Ms. Price stepped back, looking through her camera. “Get in a little closer.”

Without warning, Maven wrapped her arm around my waist before resting her head on my shoulder. I’m not even sure what face I was making when the camera flashed, but I stepped away the moment Ms. Price lowered the camera.

“Can I go now?” I asked my mom.

She blew out a quiet breath, crossing her arms, but then gave a nod. “Go on, then. And make sure your brothers aren’t making a mess.”

I hurried toward the kitchen, wiping away Maven’s girl germs from my shirt.

I popped a piece of watermelon into my mouth, then set the bowl on the counter. “The picnic table’s clear.”

“Thanks, Bennett.” Mom stood at the kitchen sink, making her way through the stack of dishes and bowls piled high. She looked tired but happy.

“Here, let me do that.” Dad wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek. “You’ve done more than your share today.”

She dried her hands on her apron and turned toward him, placing her arms around his neck. When they kissed, all of us boys groaned in unison, except Luke, who had found a discarded cookie from someone’s plate and was now eating it.

“You boys just wait,” Dad said. “Someday you’re each going to love a woman as much as I love your mom. Well, maybe not quite that much, but you should certainly try.”

“No thanks,” I said. I had no plans to fall in love. Ever. “Girls are weird.”

Mom laughed and kissed Dad again before tossing a dish towel over his shoulder and allowing him to take her place at the sink. “Speaking of girls, Bennett, I noticed you and Maven were getting along today.”

I scrunched up my nose. “She wouldn’t stop following Carson and me around. What was I supposed to do? Tell her to leave?”

Mom’s look said that’s exactly what she’d expected, and honestly, I would have said something except that Carson was the one that kept inviting her along. His mom must have asked him to keep an eye on his sister since she’d had to miss the BBQ because of work.

“Well, thanks for being nice to her. I know she really likes you.”